Monday, March 16, 2015

March 16 – “When Momma’s happy …”

We decided to do a “quick drive-by just to look at” Nathan and April’s front yard yesterday afternoon.  We weren’t even going to stop.  They had been working on their landscaping, and Nathan even went so far as to buy one of those chain saws that attach to the end of a long pole.  The kind you use to trim really big trees like the three big oaks in their yard.  You just can’t beat a new power tool, right?  I was sure the yard looked fine.  I was just hoping for a glimpse of the new power tool on the block. 

Well, the drive-by plan went out the window when we saw that they were still hard at work.  There was a pile of tree branches barricading the front of their house as if they expected to have to ward off an attack any moment.  The chain saw was resting off to the side, its work long sing accomplished.  Sigh.  Missed it.  But they still have two more trees to attack in their back yard.  Maybe next time.  Nathan told me his next door neighbor was especially happy about the tree trimming project, though.  Apparently it had been slowly encroaching upon his roof’s personal space for some time. 

Meanwhile, Nathan and April had moved on to outlining their flower beds with some of those concrete blocks.  The kind that weigh a ton.  Each.  And the flower beds themselves had been lined with plastic bags and covered with some of that red mulch.  That was still a work in progress, though.  Evidence of that was in the bed of the truck.  About ten more bags of the stuff waiting to make their debut.  Once the outline was complete, Nathan managed to catch up with April.  She had already moved on to placement of the bushes they had purchased.  No idea what they were called.  I do know April got the idea from Alice Whiteman’s front yard, though.  They sure look good there, so given enough time, I think they will be a prime asset. 

So where was Cailyn during all the work?  Well, she came bounding out from the house not long after we arrived.  Chris managed to get her briefly involved in sweeping the sidewalk.  It became a game, of course.  Nana was the boss and Cailyn had to follow orders.  Guess how long that arrangement lasted.  Before long the new straw boss had catapulted her way through the ranks.  Cailyn took over her new promotion with gusto.  I was enlisted to help with the heavy stuff.  You know … larger leaves and especially tough to extricate weeds here and there.  What can I say?  It’s tough being the go-to guy when it comes to the real manly jobs. 

All in all, it was kind of a fun afternoon outing.  For us, anyway.  Chris did manage to spend some inside time with Cailyn.  I understand she enjoyed a manicure while the rest of us were slaving away.  Well, while Nathan and April were slaving.  Someone had to assume the vacated role of straw boss.  But in the end April was pleased with the project.  And you know as well I do, when Momma’s happy …

Psalms 104:9 says, “He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate - bringing forth food from the earth”


Father, thank you for the wonders of growing things and for the beauty that comes with placing them all together in just the right position.  Amen.

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